City population surges back up after downward dip
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A downward trend in population growth has been reversed for the Heritage city as Nelson recorded its first increase in two years.
For 2023, Statistics Canada reported in February 2024 that Nelson saw a 1.3 per cent increase in population — from 11,562 to 11,716 — after reporting a decrease in residents from 2021-2022 (0.8 per cent).
During that time Nelson was the only Central Kootenay community to have a decrease in population.
Overall in the Regional District of Central Kootenay — of which Nelson is its largest community — the regional district is still largely rural, with over half of the residents living in the country and outside municipalities. There were 34,767 people living in the electoral areas, a 2.6 per cent increase, while the overall RDCK population was 66,756, an increase of 2.4 per cent over the year.
Slocan led the growth parade with an 8.4 per cent increase in population — from 308 to 334 — while the nation’s second smallest municipality, Silverton, saw a 4.3 rise in population, from 208 to 217.
Creston had a 2.6 per cent increase in population, Castlegar enjoyed a rise of 2.5 per cent — from 8,819 to rising over 9,000 to 9,042 — and three communities grew by 2.4 per cent: Salmo; Nakusp; and Kaslo. New Denver bumped up by nine people in 2023, giving it a 1.8 per cent increase.
Over in the Kootenay-Boundary the rate of population growth was fairly consistent, with Greenwood the highest at 2.8 per cent, followed by Trail (2.6 per cent), Rossland (2.4 per cent), Warfield (2.2 per cent), Grand Forks (2.1 per cent) and Montrose (two per cent). Fruitvale (1.5 per cent) and Midway (0.1 per cent) rounded out the communities.
Central Kootenay population, 2011-2023
2023 2011 % inc.
Castlegar 9,042 7,967 12
Creston 5,892 5,341 9.4
Kaslo 1,069 1,050 1.8
Nakusp 1,762 1,585 10.1
Nelson 11,716 10,442 10.9
New Denver 520 491 5.6
Salmo 1,437 1,171 18.5
Silverton 217 198 8.8
Slocan 334 299 10.5
Rural 34,767 30,826 11.4
- In 2011, the RDCK population was recorded at 59,367.
Source: Statistics Canada
Kootenay-Boundary population, 2011-2023
2023 2011 % inc.
Fruitvale 2,112 2,045 3.2
Grand Forks 4,447 4,039 9.2
Greenwood 730 703 3.7
Midway 738 668 9.5
Montrose 1,097 1,039 5.3
Rossland 4,390 3,631 17.3
Trail 8,480 7,772 8.4
Warfield 1,881 1,669 11.3
Source: Statistics Canada
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